There will be no Brian O’Driscoll, who is out with a hamstring injury.

Rob Henderson and Keith Wood are both missing, although the latter is touring as part of the squad.

And Australia will also be without several key players as coach Eddie Jones bloods new talent trying to find the right blend before the World Cup opener against Argentina on October 10.

Without so many star players on both sides critics might be forgiven for thinking this game in a western outpost of Australian rugby is nothing more than a trial match.

But the near 45,000 sell-out crowd at Subiaco Oval tomorrow evening will be looking for signs from both teams that they will be ready come October.

Ireland, who delayed naming their reserve bench until the very last minute at protest over Australia not naming enough replacements on their bench to cover both tight and loosehead props and hooker, will be led by their fourth-choice skipper in Ulster fly-half David Humphreys.

And with Leicester’s Geordan Murphy on the wing, they will be hoping to play an expansive game urged on by a pack that still contains former Olympic shot putter Victor Costello, Leinster’s Eric Miller and Llanelli workhorse Simon Easterby.

Murphy usually plays at full-back but started his international career on the wing before the latest switch to centre alongside Kevin Maggs.

“It is a big ask, but I’ve always said I would be happy to play anywhere in an Irish shirt,” said Murphy as the Irish finished their final training run.

And Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has warned his men they will have to watch this pairing.

“Maggs is a very good centre,” said Jones.

“And Murphy’s an outstanding player. He has got some brilliant skills.”

Despite the loss of players, one man who is enjoying a return to Australia is Keith Gleeson.

The Dublin-born Irish-Australian was raised in Sydney and even captained the Wallabies Under-21 side before switching to play for Leinster and Ireland because of a lack of international rugby.

“I’ve never been to Perth before, but it does feel like home,” said the 27-year-old flanker.

Gleeson made his Test debut against the All Blacks in New Zealand last year and was a member of the Irish side that beat Australia 18-9 at Lansdowne Road last November.

The real threat to Australia should come from Gleeson if he and Murphy both hit form.

Ireland’s big chance could come from their forward momentum with Malcolm O’Kelly planning to set up their attacks by winning plenty of line-out ball, and against an average Wallaby pack they really do believe they have what it takes to win for the first time on Australian soil since 1979.

While the Irish will also be without regular hooker Frank Sheahan who has failed a drugs test and has returned home in an effort to clear his name, Australia are missing a complete back line through injury with Stephen Larkham, Matt Giteau, Daniel Herbert, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Burke, Ben Tune and Andrew Walker all out.

Jones has drafted in young NSW centre Morgan Turinui, who exploded on to the Super 12 scene this year.

And with Queensland Reds’ Steve Kefu making a return the Wallabies will also be looking to get the ball quickly to their backs.

Wendell Sailor on his day can be explosive on the wing and in newcomer Lote Tuqiri they have another defensive line breaker on the bench.

The ACT’s Joe Roff returns on the other wing and Queensland’s Chris Latham will be a major threat at full-back if his stirring season with Queensland in the Super 12 competition is any indication.

In the forwards Australia have opted for experience with Patricio Noriega and Bill Young in the front row and Ben Darwin on the bench to cover.

Jones will be closely watching the performances of his new back line and could well alter it again for the game against Wales in Sydney next week.

In World Cup year – and with both sides in the same group – neither coach will want to give too much away before they meet in Melbourne on November 1.